Partially lighted t-bar

Abstract

The partially lit T-bar includes a spine with a rest shelf at a lower portion thereof. The rest shelf supports adjacent ceiling tiles. The under surface of the rest shelf includes a lighting module on a portion and a plain unlit undersurface on other portions. Additional T-bars which are shorter, and typically fully lit or fully unlit and half the length of the partially lit T-bar are also provided which can attach at ends or near a midpoint of the partially lit T-bar and typically perpendicularly thereto. A great variety of lighting patterns in a dropped ceiling is thus facilitated. Each of the T-bars preferably also includes a heat sink on an upper portion of the spine and also preferably a lower heat sink on an upper portion of the rest shelf. Heat associated with the light element of the T-bar can thus be drawn away from a space below the ceiling.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit under Title 35, United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 082,760 filed on Nov. 21, 2014. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 634,219 filed on Sep. 11, 2012, which is a national stage entry of PCT International Application No. PCT / US11 / 00455 with an international filing date of Mar. 11, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 661,252 filed on Mar. 11, 2010 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,177,385.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The following invention relates to T-bars for suspended ceilings, and particularly T-bars which include lighting therein. More particularly, this invention relates to T-bars and systems of T-bars where individual T-bar elements include a lit portion and an unlit portion, such as to achieve a large variety of lighting patterns in a suspended ceiling featuring lighted T-bars.BACKGROUND OF T...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a lighting system for buildings that offers maximum flexibility and efficiency in lighting design. The system includes T-bars that support light sources on their lower sides and have partially lighted Undersides and shorter lighted T-bars. These features facilitate a wide variety of lighting arrangements and minimize energy usage. Additionally, the system is easy and inexpensive to install, has a long life span, and can be easily replaced and reconfigured. Furthermore, the invention provides an LED light source that effectively dissipates heat and can be easily mounted within a dropped ceiling of a building for optimal service life.

Problems solved by technology

However, such a configuration only facilitates lighting oriented in a first direction perpendicular to the long T-bars.

Images